|
NOVEMBER 8, 2023
America’s Heartbreak: 10-fold Increase in Congenital Syphilis Cases
By Marie Rosenthal, MS
More than 3,700 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in 2022, which was more than 10 times the number seen a decade ago, according to new data released by the CDC.
The increase in congenital syphilis follows a rising syphilis epidemic among people of all ages, including women of reproductive age, combined with social and economic factors that create barriers to quality prenatal care and ongoing declines in public health resources, according to the CDC.
“New CDC data released today show that cases of syphilis among newborn babies, or congenital syphilis, have gone up more than 10-fold over the past 10 years,” said Debra Houry, MD, MPH, the CDC’s chief medical officer, during a media briefing held on Nov. 7.
However, almost nine in 10 cases of congenital syphilis could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment during pregnancy, according to Dr. Houry, who called the increase “a heartbreaking issue.” She said the outcomes of having syphilis during pregnancy include miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and lifelong medical issues for the infant.
Continue reading... https://www.idse.net/HIV-AIDS-STIs/Article/11-23/Americas-Heartbreak-10-fold-Increase-in-Congenital-Syphilis-Cases/72022
"Reproduced with permission - Infectious Disease Special Edition (IDSE)"
Infectious Disease Special Edition (IDSE)
For more HIV and AIDS News visit...
Positively Positive - Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS News |
